Starting from October 1, 2025, in accordance with the Royal Decree on the Collection of Employee Welfare Fund Contributions B.E. 2567 (2024) and the Ministerial Regulation on Contribution Rates B.E. 2567 (2024), all employers with 10 or more employees must comply with the requirements of the Employee Welfare Fund.
Key Contribution Details
- Employers are required to contribute 0.25% of employee wages from 2025 to 2030.
- The contribution rate will increase to 0.5% from 2030 onwards.
- This policy is part of a new initiative by the Thai government to enhance financial security for employees across the country.
Why Employee Welfare Fund?
The Employee Welfare Fund has been established to provide financial security and protection for employees in various situations. Key reasons for implementing this fund include:
- Financial Security for Employees – Ensuring employees have financial support when they leave their jobs or in case of death.
- Support for Uncompensated Dismissals – Assisting employees who are terminated without receiving severance pay.
- Encouraging Long-term Savings – Promoting a culture of saving among workers for better financial stability.
- Strengthening Social Protection and Economic Security – Enhancing Thailand’s social security system and economic resilience for employees.
Employer Compliance
Under the new regulation, employers with 10 or more employees are required to participate in the Employee Welfare Fund. Contributions must be submitted monthly, ensuring consistent financial support for employees.
Exceptions: Employers who already provide a Provident Fund or equivalent employee benefits may be exempt from this requirement. Additionally, employees who are not automatically covered under the law can voluntarily join the fund with employer approval.
Employee Welfare Fund Contribution Collection
Starting from October 1, 2025, employers with 10 or more employees must deduct and contribute to the Employee Welfare Fund. The key details are as follows:
Example of Contribution Calculation
For Monthly Salary Employees:
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- Employee Salary: 12,000 THB
- Employee Contribution (0.25%): 30 THB
- Employer Contribution (0.25%): 30 THB
- Total Contribution per Month: 60 THB
For Daily Wage Employees:
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- Daily Wage: 400 THB, Workdays per Month: 26 days
- Total Monthly Wage: 10,400 THB
- Employee Contribution (0.25%): 26 THB, Employer Contribution (0.25%): 26 THB
- Total Contribution per Month: 52 THB
How To Submit Employee Welfare Fund Contributions
Employers are responsible for submitting employee and employer contributions to the Employee Welfare Fund by the 15th of the following month. The process includes the following steps:
- Calculating Employee and Employer Contributions
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- Deduct Employee Contributions – Employers must deduct the employee’s contribution from their wages every payroll cycle.
- Match Employer Contributions – Employers must contribute an amount equal to the employee’s deduction.
- Submitting Contribution Forms
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- Fill out the Required Form (สกล.3 or Equivalent Form) – Employers must submit the Employee Welfare Fund Contribution Report.
- Include Employee Details – The report should list employee names, contribution amounts, and the total payment.
- Submit to Authorities – The form should be submitted to:
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- The Provincial Office of Labor Protection and Welfare (for companies outside Bangkok).
- The Bangkok Office of Labor Protection and Welfare (for companies in Bangkok).
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- Payment Submission to the Fund
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- Transfer the Contributions – Payments must be made to the Employee Welfare Fund’s designated bank account or through an approved payment channel.
- Keep Payment Records – Employers must retain proof of payment and copies of submitted forms for future reference.
- Receiving the Contribution Certificate
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- Obtain a Confirmation Document – Once the payment is successfully processed, the fund will issue an official receipt for record-keeping and future audits.
Employee Rights and Withdrawal of Contributions from the Employee Welfare Fund
Employees who are members of the Employee Welfare Fund have the right to withdraw their accumulated contributions along with employer contributions under specific conditions outlined by the law. Employees or their beneficiaries can submit a request for withdrawal in the following cases:
Eligible Cases for Contribution Withdrawal
- When an Employee Leaves the Job: This includes resignation, retirement, employer termination, or contract expiration.
- In the Event of Employee’s Death: The legal heirs of the employee are entitled to receive the accumulated contributions and any applicable returns.
- Other Special Cases: Additional withdrawal conditions may be determined by the Employee Welfare Fund Committee as necessary.
How is the Employee Welfare Fund different from another fund?
Summary
The Employee Welfare Fund will take effect on October 1, 2025. Employers with 10 or more employees must participate in the program to ensure financial security for employees when they resign, retire, or pass away.
Employer Responsibilities:
- Register with the Fund and ensure accurate employee records.
- Deduct and contribute to the fund, starting at 0.25% of wages (increasing to 0.5% in 2030).
- Submit contributions by the 15th of the following month.
- Comply with all legal requirements to avoid civil and criminal penalties.
Employee Rights:
- Withdraw contributions when leaving a job, retiring, or in case of death (heirs are eligible to claim).
- File a claim for withdrawals at the Office of Labor Protection and Welfare.
- Verify employer compliance in submitting contributions.
The Employee Welfare Fund is a crucial initiative to enhance financial stability for workers in Thailand. Employers and employees should prepare in advance to ensure smooth implementation and maximize its benefits for all parties involved.
FAQ
Q: What is the Employee Welfare Fund?
A: The Employee Welfare Fund is a government-mandated fund designed to provide financial security for employees when they resign, retire, or in the event of death. Both employers and employees contribute to the fund through monthly deductions.
Q: Who is required to participate in this fund?
A: Employers with 10 or more employees must automatically participate. Employers with fewer than 10 employees are not required to join unless a Royal Decree mandates their inclusion.
Q: Who is required to participate in this fund?
A: Employers with 10 or more employees must automatically participate. Employers with fewer than 10 employees are not required to join unless a Royal Decree mandates their inclusion.
Q: When must employers submit the contributions?
A: Employers must submit the employee and employer contributions by the 15th of the following month, through channels specified by the Office of Labor Protection and Welfare
Q: What happens if an employer fails to submit the contributions?
A: Employers who fail to submit contributions on time will face:
✅ A penalty of 5% per month on the unpaid amount.
✅ Possible civil and criminal penalties for continued non-compliance.Q: When can employees withdraw their contributions?
A: Employees (or their heirs) can claim their contributions in the following cases:
- Resignation
- Retirement
- Employer termination
- Death (heirs can apply for withdrawal)
Q: How can employees claim their contributions?
A: Employees or heirs must submit a withdrawal request at the Office of Labor Protection and Welfare with the following documents:
✅ Employment termination certificate (for resignation/retirement cases).
✅ Death certificate (if heirs are claiming the benefits).
✅ Copy of the national ID card.Q: How is the Employee Welfare Fund different from Social Security?
A: Employee Welfare Fund → Provides refunds upon resignation, retirement, or death
Social Security Fund → Covers medical care, unemployment, maternity, disability, and pensionsQ: Does a company with a Provident Fund (PVD) still need to join this fund?
A: If an employer has an approved Provident Fund (PVD) that covers all employees, they may be exempt from participating in the Employee Welfare Fund.
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